Since early childhood, Sadiq Toma had a keen interest in making puppets, and in the few years after mastering colors, he engaged in cartoon animation, and then became a designer and a puppeteer.

It was a thousand-mile journey that took Toma to the most important stage in his career as he joined the Institute of Fine Arts in Iraq.

“The Institute of Fine Arts is a great educational center,” he said.

Once he completed his academic journey in the institute, Sadiq set off for a larger scale of visual arts culture and inspiration at the Museum of Iraq where he discovered and learned from the combined influence of four civilizations.

“In fact, I have learnt many things about the ancient heritage of Iraq which goes back to the Islamic era and beyond.”

He had absorbed the rich diversity of cultures and he painted his canvas with their flavors, improvising a few details which hindered his artistic approach.

After four decades of shuttling between cities which saw sweet and bitter days, and after living away from home for more than 30 years, he was asked about his dream as an artist. He said he had no dream.

“I never thought about it and the idea never crossed my mind. I really can’t answer this question,” he said.